I'll double check but probably .5"-.75". I have a 1" belt and it is skinnier than that.

Belt #2 is probably 2.5 or so. The website lists it as 3" but that's including the metal ring I think. Maybe 2.5"?

I'll keep an eye on the Express belt.

This one would have been perfect but the gray is only available in a medium/large

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....oductSize=

Okay. That gives me a better idea. So Maya, you're after a 1.5 to 2 inch elastic belt. The UO style you just linked to is fabulous too. Check out Ebay?

It sounds like you're sorted with belts, Maya, but just wanted to say I love your today's outfit. That new cardi looks so great on you(I am envious you can wear all the shoulder enhancements), and the color combo is fantastic. I saw it at work this morning and meant to comment later.

It is tricky to find the width you're after in a stretch belt -- I have been googling around for you, Maya, even though I'm sure you've done that yourself, and you're so right about most of them being 3 inches or wider.

Are you open to the trim being leather, as opposed to the body of the belt? For example, I found this one (ignoring the high price -- I know you wouldn't pay that, it's just for demonstration purposes):

http://www.calvinklein.com/pro.....Id=3846248

but the closure portion is definitely leather.

And this one is a good price but is slightly wider and has the same leather trim issue (also it says it has a "logo closure" -- YUCK, although I don't actually see a logo):

http://www.calvinklein.com/pro.....Id=3635292

No leather trims, April. I may as well just wear a leather belt then. They both came from the same source.

I use ebay a lot for things that I am already familiar with, but I don't know if I'd be comfortable using it for a belt (most sellers don't offer refunds). Maybe if I see one that I really like and the bidding stays low.

I'll see if anyone returns the UO belt in my size, and keep an eye on the Express one. If anyone gets any Express coupons that would help, please share (if you're not using it)!

Thanks Marianne! I love this new decade of shoulder enhancements. I hope they are here to stay (alongside regular shoulders, of course). It really helps balance my proportions out.

Hmmm Maya I don't know why its hard to find thinner stretchy belts over there - I thought you guys were spoilt for choice of EVERYTHING!!

One of the elastic belts I have that came with my shirt dress is 1.5 inches wide, and so is another one with a pretty buckle thinggy at the front that I bought for about $10 at Portmans last year (no pics yet, aren't I slack?).

If you like I'll keep an eye open in shops here for another similar one? I'll have some free time this week to browse around. What's your colour preference?

Tam, I can hardly be bothered to post a single outfit and you keep an entire blog, so don't shame me by calling yourself slack :p The belt that came with your dress looks sort of thick. I'm surprised it's only 1.5". It looks super on you though.

Color is tough! I just found a belt that's interwoven peach-and-black which is kind of neat because I think it can go with both lighter and darker tops. It's 2.5" though so I think it may be too wide. I can't decide whether or not to spend $6 on shipping for it...

I guess all I really want is a neutral belt for now, black or white preferably. Some sort of neat buckle or closure would be nice as well. Thanks for keeping an eye out..

Oops Maya you're right, the one I linked to is 2 inches wide. The buckle one I don't have a pic of yet is 1.5 inches though.

This belt is 3 inches..which is why I found it too scary to wear up until this challenge. I think it works here because it matches the skirt, rather than acting as a contrast colour over the top. Have you tried that look too?

I don't mind looking here at all. This officially gives me an excuse to go to Chadstone this week! Like I needed one ehehe! p.s. gold/silver buckle metal if you had the choice?

No preference on the buckle front!

I think the main reason I am so keen on a belt is because I want to use them to make some of my tops work with skirts, so while I could wear one the way you mentioned, it wouldn't really solve the original problem of shirt-shortening.

That red dress looks amazing on you btw. It looks like the one I just got at H&M (and returned), except that it looks way better on you than on me.

Oh Maya, that's because the red dress was literally made for me....in Vietnam of course!! I especially wanted it with an empire waist (more flattering to disguise my own lack of waist) and to be quite flary in the skirt. Seriously you have to go one day, it makes you feel like someone on project runway to design an outfit and have it appear before your eyes! Maybe that's where the ylf convention should be hahaha!!!

Ok so down to belt business, I've only been to one shop and already found one candidate...its cream though, with a cream and gold buckle thinngy. Stupid me forgot both measuring tape and camera, but I'm pretty sure it would have been 1.5-2 inches max. So I'm planning on looking at more stores tomorrow/wed for you anyway.

But in case we are spoilt for choice, whats your colour preference order: black, brown, cream, white? Rank em and I'll see what we can do!!!

Maya, I struggle with belts for the same reasons that you do. Big boobied and short waisted is a tough combination to belt. I've thrifted atleast 5 belts so far and only wear 2 of them constantly. Too thin and they get lost somehow and too thick and ofcourse the shoulder boulders look like they're twice as large. 2" seems to be the magic width for me so far. I LOVE the Express belt you linked to earlier. Wait a month or two and you will be able to snag that for a song. Also, get yourself to Etsy for some fab vintage finds. Some of the sellers seem very amenable to returns.

Tam, you are my little belt angel! I don't know if cream would work with my white tops. So in order: black, gray, white, cream. No browns or taupes or weird pastel browns. Thanks for keeping an eye out!

I don't know why more people don't make 2" belts, Vani. There is obviously an underserved market here.

I know! It is hard, especially when it feels criminal to be charged $20 for a sub-par quality belt. I have found a few passable black stretch belts at Marshall's but they were so blah. I'll be very interested to see what Tam might come up with!